Vice chairwoman of Erie County Democrats to attend convention

September 3, 2012 12:12 AM

Linda McCabe is the chairperson of the Erie Democratic Women and an elected delegate to the 2012 Democratic Convention, to be held in Charlotte, N.C. from Sept. 3 to Sept. 6. She is shown here Aug. 31 during a media event at the Erie County Democratic headquarters in Erie.CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

September 3, 2012 12:12 AM

Linda McCabe is going to the Democratic National Convention for the first time -- and the first vice chairwoman of the Erie County Democratic Party couldn't be happier.

McCabe, 59, was elected by fellow Democrats in the April 24 primary as one of five 5th Congressional District delegates to the convention, which kicks off today in Charlotte.

"Politics is my hobby. I don't have many others," said McCabe, a legal secretary and the married mother of three adult children. She also has five grandchildren. "Maybe reading on my Kindle. I read constantly."

McCabe said she's looking forward to the experience of the convention, and watching President Barack Obama gain momentum for his re-election bid. She also has a personal reason to look forward to the trip -- a son lives in Charlotte, so McCabe will get some family time in.

1) For those who are unaware, explain what a delegate does at the convention.

For this convention in particular, with it being 2012 and President Obama being our incumbent, we have various caucus meetings. We go and discuss the issues that are going to be brought up in the campaign. We will talk about how to get the Democratic platform across to people, how to get President Obama re-elected, along with our other Democratic candidates. It's a chance to network with Democrats from across the country and the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's one of the largest delegations. It's a good time for the party faithful to just come together.

2) You have never been to a Democratic National Convention before. What are you expecting, and what are you looking forward to most about the experience?

I believe the Democratic convention has some great speakers this year. I'm particularly looking forward to listening to the mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro (the convention's keynote speaker). He appears to be an up and comer in the Democratic Party, and he bears some watching.

President (Bill) Clinton is going to be there, (Massachusetts Senate candidate) Elizabeth Warren ... I just think we have a great slate of speakers, and that's probably going to be the highlight of the convention for me.

3) Do you expect the convention to provide momentum to the president's campaign?

Absolutely. I think everyone will come out of there enthusiastic ... We have (many) days of hard work ahead of us, and we're hoping to come back to each of our hometowns and engage the troops, so to speak. We have to get people out to vote in this election. I do believe that this is probably the most important election in my lifetime.

4) Do you think this race will be as close as a lot of people are predicting?

I would like to say that I don't think it's going to be close. ... However, the reality is we have a lot of work to do. With the Democrats, as usual, it's just a matter of getting our people out to vote. If our people get out to vote, President Obama and the Democratic ticket win.

5) Why is the political convention "mechanism" still something the public should care about and pay attention to?

When you start to listen to the speakers at any convention, whether it be a Democratic or Republican convention, they are there to espouse our beliefs in a clear and concise manner. I would hope the public would listen and reach their own conclusions about what they say. You can't get all your news and information off the Internet, or from tweets.

The conventions are important. It is the party faithful, the people who work in the trenches year in and year out. It's a time to come together, and then leave and go out ready to do battle for November.